Oh boy, this one came out of left field...
A Q-Tipster with 'special access' spilled the following into my ear:
Ruben was at a restaurant with some guy... he was heard saying he might run for mayor, loud too. like maybe he wanted people to hear.
If that's true, then it can only mean one thing: Hudson County political boss Nick Sacco is having second thoughts about backing DeFusco for mayor in 2021.
There is no way (in GA's opinion) that Ruben would run without the backing his close friend, Joey Muniz, Boss Sacco's right hand man.
So, if my Q-Tipster heard it right, then why would Nick Sacco be having second thoughts about supporting the First Ward Councilman's mayoral bid in 2021?
Possibilities:
(1) Too much baggage: alleged P2P violations, missing planning board meetings, planning board donor conflicts, an ethics complaint, controversial legislation to increase lot coverage, constant headlines which make him appear like a petty complainer, poor political skills
(2) Sacco doesn't think DeFusco can win his ward in 2019
(3) Ramos is privately pitching himself as the stronger city-wide candidate
GA agrees that Ruben is the stronger city-wide candidate; he came very close to winning Zimmer in 2013. And that was a race with 3 tickets, not 6.
Yeah, GA thinks Ruben Ramos has superior political skills, and is well liked. Maybe that's why Fisher has aligned herself so closely with him. With her re-election uncertain (she is not popular in the 2nd ward), it wouldn't surprise me to see her on Ruben's 2021 ticket for At-Large council!
Who knows.
But the Q-Tipster's Earwitness news about Ruben Ramos musing in public over running for mayor... well, kinda reminded me of the alleged incident which so angered Brian Stack that he threw Ruben off his ticket: Assemblyman Ramos musing in public over... (anybody remember?)
Gollywilakers, looks like Yappy's gonna have to pick who he's gonna Yap for and who he's gonna Yap AT! Gotta yap at someone, let the deals be made! Place your bids, people, Yappy's for sale again!
ReplyDeleteYou've got that right. Yappy has a long-standing friendship with Ruben so my bet's on Yappy yappin' for the Fourth Ward Councilman. For the sake of Hoboken, I hope Sacco picks Ruben, and he runs. Worst case scenario, we end up with an adult. I never roll the dice on things that matter.
DeleteYappy days are here again
ReplyDeleteThe skylines above are clear again
So let's get him into arrear again
Yappy days are here again!
Mike must’ve known Yappy would shank him one day, no? Very Disappointing if he didn’t. We had Mike pegged for a realist. It feels just like getting stabbed in the back to find out he didn’t know we were eventually gonna stab him in the back. Ya think ya know a person and something like this happens. I feel like my trust is being abused again. Maybe it’s true what they say - I care too much.
ReplyDeleteJust my opinion but I never doubted Ruben Ramos would run again for mayor. He knew his chances against Zimmer were very weak so he stayed on the sidelines. Zimmer suddenly dropping out changed the playing field but it was too late for him to make a credible move. Ramos like Russo doesn't have to worry about holding on to their Ward seats and are wisely for now letting DeFusco play the role of a foaming at the mouth crazed attack dog to their measured demeanor on the City Council television show.
ReplyDeleteMakes sense. An observation: DeFusco seems to be on the same trajectory as Tim Occhipinti. Tim was at one time the anti-Zimmer fresh face; a rising millenial political star backed by big bucks Beth Mason and a constellation of dark stars. But he alienated his backers somehow, and was eventually discarded.
DeleteDeFusco is on the same path. He was the annointed anti-reform "new energy" political star with monied backers behind him. But couldnt pull off the big win. Now he's a bitter, foaming at the mouth anti-Bhalla attack dog looking worse and worse every day. His powerful backers arent stupid. They wont throw money at a loser. Enter Ruben! Watching from the sidelines, he'll pick up the pieces when DeFusco implodes.
The smart money is on Ramos. IMO.
But Ramos is literally the slimiest POS on the CC and that is saying a lot considering Russo is there too.
DeleteOh well, it is Sacco. I'd vote against any candidate he backed b/c they are all scum from the same cesspool.
Very pleased, very pleased indeed that our own Kuck Fluffner is committed to perpetual rage at Crooked Bhallary et al. We are often asked if it makes sense for someone who hasn't had a date in the current century to be using 'cuck' derogatorily rather than as a status to ironically aspire to one bright day. But lets remember that there's no one else in his audience who has any reason to question Lily's explanation of where babies come from.
ReplyDeleteIn lieu of other such ... distractions, an aimless, endless grudge can give life shape and meaning. Or it will have to do in any case. And now that we know that even $130,000 is not enough keep things on the down-low, I'm sure the idea of picking someone to hate and hating them forever will acquire enormous cachet! Like it has for these cheery gentlemen!
#MAGA!
It seems that people who would be running from the law in other places are always running for office in Hoboken. If triple public pension Ramos were to win, would he reinstate his family in City jobs as was the case in the past? Nepotism is just how it's done with the old guard. He may be Sacco's anointed one, but most Hobokenites old and new are sick of this. Because of this and attrition, they know they can't win an election without vote buying, or the return of runoff elections and the shenanigans that ensue in that extra inning of the game they're so good at.
ReplyDeleteAgree 100%. The triple pension is something that everyone should be reminded about every day until Ramos is gone.
DeleteVote buying is the only reason they're trying to bring back the runoff.
If they were sincere about it, they'd be putting their efforts into ranked choice voting, the kind of bill Ramos's replacement is co-sponsoring, not runoffs. But they need those extra weeks to "negotiate" with their opponents and "incentivize" folks to turn out for the runoff, which always have far fewer voters. The irony here is that if the runoff referendum vote passes, it won't benefit DeFusco. Politics can be such a grindr.
ReplyDeleteReform got rid of runoffs because of the influence of vote-buying in reduced turnout. Now ex-reformers are bringing it back on behalf of a triple-dipper and his friend the serial pay-to-play abuser. It’s as if all they care about is opposing Bhalla. Reminds me of Beth with the hospital:bad for Dawn is good for me.
ReplyDeleteI think that those facing the next round of Ward elections reasons for wanting to bring back runoffs is much more self serving then just spite and certainly more then any ideological concerns. Due to their actions since the mayoral election will all be facing very disillusioned and disgruntled voters. The runoffs would provide them with another bite of the apple, one that they hope their name recognition would help the hang on in a much smaller voter pool.
DeleteThe bill to allow instant run off (ranked choice) elections was introduced in January and is stuck in committee... if pressure can be mounted finally pass it (it's the third time it's been introduced in the Assembly)... it would change the entire game.
ReplyDeleteWhatever chance a "good" 4th ward candidate had to win (which was already slim), will officially be over - thanks run-offs.....
ReplyDelete